High-voltage, high-current coaxial connector

ABSTRACT

A high-voltage, high-current coaxial connector utilized with a coaxially coupled parallel capacitor bank coupled through an electronic switch.

United States Patent Gamon B. Hayward P.0. Box 609, Del Mar, Calif. 92014 884,845

Dec. 15, 1969 Nov. 30, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented HIGH-VOLTAGE, HIGH-CURRENT COAXIAL CONNECTOR 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figs.

89C, 90C,91 P,94C, 126.1, 177 R, 177 E, 205, 264 R; 174/752, 88.2, 89;331/112 L. 15,117;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,147,057 9/1964 Co1ussi 339/177 R X 2,182,896 12/1939 Hixon 174/89 X 2,451,413 10/1948 Robinson 33/97 2,657,252 10/1953 Mildner et a1. 174/88 FOREIGN PATENTS 882,487 11/1951 Great Britain 174/88 C Primary Examiner-James A. Leppink Assistant Examiner- Lawrence J. Staab Attorney-Richard K. MacNeill ABSTRACT: A high-voltage, high-current coaxial connector utilized with a coaxially coupled parallel capacitor bank coupled through an electronic switch.

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FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

GAMON B. HAYWARD 14 68 7| 1s 12 5e 53 e1 59 HIGH-VOLTAGE, HIGH-CURRENT COAXIAL CONNECTOR BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a high-voltage, high-current coaxial connector and more particularly to a high-voltage, high-current coaxial connector for coupling a bank of capacitors in parallel.

According to the invention, a high-voltage, high-current coaxial connector is provided for connecting two sections of a coaxial transmission line having cylindrical inner and outer conductors and being separated by an elastomeric insulating sleeve. The connector utilizes a conductive spacer with first and second annular recesses for receiving the inner conductors of the first and second section of the transmission line and a clamp integral with the conductive spacer for clamping the inner conductors within the first and second annular recesses. An elastomeric insulating sleeve surrounds the periphery of the conductive spacer and the ends of the elastomeric insulating sleeves of the first and second section of transmission line. An outer conductive sleeve surrounding the elastomeric insulating sleeve is in conductive contact with the ends of the outer conductors of the first and second sections of transmission lines and an outer clamping means is provided which surrounds the outer conductive sleeve and the ends of the outer conductors of the first and second sections of transmission line.

Since the invention has particular utility in connecting coaxially coupled capacitors together through an electronic switch, the entire system is disclosed and described below.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a highvoltage, high-current coaxial connector having extremely high structural strength.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a highvoltage, high-current coaxial connector for coupling sections of high-voltage, high-current coaxial transmission lines.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a highvoltage, high-current coaxial connector which is extremely compact.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a high-voltage, high-current coaxial connector which is inexpensive to manufacture, simple to install and extremely durable.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a typical installation utilizing the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation in section illustrating the coaxial ignitron switch coupling to each individual capacitor;

FIG.'3 is a sectional side elevation of the coaxial high-energy transmission line coupling joint of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the conductive inner-conductor spacer of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of capacitor modules 11, l2, l3 and 14 each have coaxial output lines 16, 17, 18 and 19, respectively. Output lines 16 and 17 are connected by coaxial transmission line sections 21 and 23. Output lines 18 and 19 are connected together by high-voltage coaxial transmission line sections 22 and 25, and output lines 17 and 19 are connected together by high-voltage coaxial transmission line section 23. Coaxial couplers 20 couple each output line to its respective transmission line section and the various transmission line sections together. Each capacitor module includes a power supply and control section and a high-voltage switch section.

Referring to FIG. 2, one capacitor module is generally shown at 11 having the top of cabinet shown at 26 with a capacitor section shown at 27. Capacitor section 27 has an outer case 28 which is the ground or reference terminal. The

output line of module 11 is shown generally at 16. ignitron switch 29 has an output terminal 31 coupled to inner conductor 32 of output line 16. An input switch 29 is coupled from high-voltage terminal 33 of capacitor 27 to cylindrical conductor section 34 which is in contact with the metallic case of ignitron switch 29 forming a high-pressure contact area for high-current pulses. A tapered nut 37 is in threadable contact with cylindrical conductor 34, the outside of which is bordered by a layer of elastomeric insulator sleeve 41. Elastomeric insulator sleeve 41 continues in an upward direction separating inner conductor 32 from outer conductor 42 and isolating ignitron switch 29 from outer conductor 42. Outer conductor 42 is in electrical contact with connector plate which is bolted at 46 to conductive extension 47 of outer case 28 of capacitor 27 completing the reference or ground circuit to output line 16. The excitation or triggering circuit to ignitron switch 29 is not shown in the interest of clarity since it does not form a part of the present invention. Actually, the coaxial line shown as an inner conductor 32 and outer conductor 42, is a simplified version of the coaxial transmission line of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a pair of high-voltage coaxial transmission line sections are indicated at 51 and 52 joined by a coaxial coupler 20. Transmission lines 51 and 52 have outer steel casings 53 and 54, respectively, inner steel casings 56 and 57, respectively, outer conductors 58 and 59, respectively, and inner conductors 61 and 62, respectively; said outer and inner conductors being separated by elastomeric insulating sleeves 63 and 64, respectively. A conductive spacer 66 separates and abuts the end of elastomeric insulating sleeves 63 and 64, inner conductors 61 and 62, and steel inner casings 56 and 57. An elastomeric insulative boot 67 is carried by conductive spacer 66. A conductive sleeve 68 is carried by elastomeric insulative boot 67 and forms an electrical joint with the ends of outer conductors 58 and 59. Central slamping member 71 is carried by conductive sleeve 68 and abuts the ends of steel outer casings 53 and 54. End clamping members 72 and 73 each have a plurality of threaded bores 74 in axial alignment with a plurality of bores 76 in central clamping member 71. Clamping screws 75 are in threadable engagement with threaded bores 74 and serve to puil end clamping members 72 and 73 together with steel outer casings 54 and 53, respectively, toward central clamping member 71 ensuring a positive joint between outer conductors 58 and 59 and conductive sleeve 68.

Referring to FIG. 4, conductive spacer 66 has an eccentric bore 60 and is slotted at 70. Screw 65 is in threadable engagement with threaded bore 700, and has its head recessed in bore 65a.

OPERATION Referring back to FIG. 1, it is to be understood that a control unit section in each of the modular units ll, l2, l3 and 14 is connected to a suitable electrical source. Since the control units in and of themselves do not form a part of the instant invention and any conventional control units can be utilized, they have not been illustrated or described. The control units contain the necessary high-voltage rectifiers for the charging of the individual capacitors and triggering mechanisms for each individual high current switch in each modular unit. As can be seen, with reference to FIG. 1, each of the modular units has an output coaxially connected in parallel to a load. The high-current switches, and hence, the outputs from each individual capacitor can be triggered sequentially or simultaneously as dictated by the load requirements.

Referring to FIG. 2, the coaxial mounting of an individual ignitron switch 29 is shown coupled to the'high-voltage output terminal 33 of an individual capacitor 27 via cylindrical conductor section 34. This effects a wide contact area connection with one section 36 of the metallic case of ignitron switch 29 which, upon actuation, by suitable control circuitry, transfers energy from high-voltage output terminal 33 of capacitor 27 to output terminal 31 of ignitron switch 29. Output terminal 31 is electrically connected to inner conductor 32 of output line 16 of this module. The outer conductor &2 is in electrical contact with conductor plate 44, which is coupled at 46 to the outside case 28 of capacitor 27. This forms an extremely compact and rugged high-voltage switch from capacitor 27 to output line which is easily controllable via ignitron switch 29.

Referring to FIG. 3, a coaxial coupler is shown in detail. The electrical path is primarily through inner conductors 56 and 62, and outer conductors 58 and 59. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, pulses having extremely high peak current develop extremely high pressures which must be contained between the conductors. This is accomplished via extremely close spacing afforded by elastomeric insulative sleeves 63 and 64 together with steel inner casings 56 and 57 and steel outer casings 53 and 54. Coaxial coupling is effected between the inner conductors through conductive spacer 56 which forms an electrical joint with inner conductor 61 and 62 and through outer conductive sleeve 68 forming another electrical joint with outer conductors 58 and 59. Again, close spacing between the inner and outer conductive portions of the coaxial coupler 20 is provided via an elastomeric insulative boot 67. The entire assembly is rigidly clamped together via central clamp member 71 and end clamp members 72 and 73. Centrai clamp member 71 forms an angle with the ends of steel outer casings 53 and 54 to ensure a tight electrical joint between outer conductive sleeve 68 and outer conductors 58 and 59. The end clamp members 72 and 73 are keyed at 78 and 79, respectively, to steel outer casings 54 and 53, respectively. The central and end clamp members are then threadably drawn together via clamping screws 75. In order to ensure a tight joint between outer conductors 58 and 59 and conductive sleeve 68, steel outer casings 53 and 54 can be bonded to outer conductors 58 and 59, respectively, as by brazing.

Clamping screws 65 in conductive spacer insures a tight electrical and mechanical mating of spacer 66 with inner conductors 61 and 62. The weight of the end and central clamping members and conductive spacer 66 form an inertial mass which contains the structure during high-current pulses resulting in forces approaching the yield point of the conductor.

lnner sleeve 56 and outer sleeve 53 are of higher elastic modulus than inner conductive sleeve 61 and outer conductive sleeve 58. This construction gives the transmission line system the ability to carry extremely high currents that would destroy the conductive sleeves 58 and 61 if they were not so supported. The central split outer clamp supports the conductive split sleeve 68 in the same manner as above.

The elastomeric insulating sleeve 67 is convolved over either side of elastomeric sleeves 63 or 64 to allow assembly of inner clamp 66. Sleeve 67, when convolved over 63 and 64 and inner clamp 66 provides the required lapping highvoltage insulation.

A coolant can be circulated within inner steel casing 56 where ambient temperature conditions so require. With smaller peak currents. the inner and outer steel casings may be removed. The inner and outer conductors will accommodate the lower resulting force, as in the case of the individual ignitron coupling units (FIG. 2).

it should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for the purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:

l. A coaxial connector for connecting first and second sections of coaxial transmission lines having cylindrical inner and outer conductors separated by an elastomeric insulating spacer comprising:

a conductive spacer, said conductive spacer having a bore thercthrough for receiving the inner conductors of said firstand second sections of transmission lines; clamping means integral with said conductive spacer for clamping said inner conductors within said conductive spacer;

an elastomeric insulating sleeve surrounding the periphery of said conductive spacer and the ends of the elastomeric insulating spacers of said first and second sections of transmission lines;

an outer conductive sleeve surrounding said elastomeric insulating sleeve, said conductive sleeve being in conductive contact with the ends of the outer conductors of said first and second transmission lines; and

outer clamping means surrounding said outer conductive sleeve and the ends of said outer conductors of said first and second transmission line sections. 

1. A coaxial connector for connecting first and second sections of coaxial transmission lines having cylindrical inner and outer conductors separated by an elastomeric insulating spacer comprising: a conductive spacer, said conductive spacer having a bore therethrough for receiving the inner conductors of said first and second sections of transmission lines; clamping means integral with said conductive spacer for clamping said inner conductors within said conductive spacer; an elastomeric insulating sleeve surrounding the periphery of said conductive spacer and the ends of the elastomeric insulating spacers of said first and second sections of transmission lines; an outer conductive sleeve surrounding said elastomeric insulating sleeve, said conductive sleeve being in conductive contact with the ends of the outer conductors of said first and second transmission lines; and outer clamping means surrounding said outer conductive sleeve and the ends of said outer conductors of said first and second transmission line sections. 